Neuralink by Elon Musk Just Impanted its First Chip Into a Human Brain

Summary

• Elon Musk recently stated on X that his company Neuralink has just implanted an electronic chip into a human brain, and the patient is recovering well.
• Neuralink works on developing technology that connects to one’s brain and can make people control things directly from their thoughts.
• The technology can potentially help patients with Paralysis, Parkinson’s, and those with neurological diseases.

Introduction

What if you could move objects, pick a cup, or lift furniture merely through your thoughts? Elon Musk recently claimed to have made a massive stride towards making this vision a reality. On January 30, the billionaire stated on his X (formerly Twitter) handle that his brain-machine interface (BMI) company Neuralink has implanted their chip into a human brain for the first time and that the patient “is recovering well”.

How Neuralink’s Advancements Can Be Revolutionary?

In 2016, Elon Musk, who was previously known for leading groundbreaking companies like SpaceX and Tesla, started Neuralink. This new venture adds to his achievements in advanced technology. Neuralink creates devices that will be implanted inside a person’s brain. It would help to establish direct communication between the brain and machines, allowing individuals to interact with technology through thoughts. This could potentially transform how we communicate and control devices - with the power of our minds. 

The company received the FDA’s approval to begin human testing in May 2023.

These advancements could potentially have multiple life-altering benefits. These include allowing paralyzed patients to regain movement of their limbs or arms or assistance in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. People can use this tech to control their phone, computer, or any device just by thinking. Musk has even claimed that users could "save and replay their memories".

But most of these claims are yet to be verified, and it is to be seen how valid and useful these inventions are. 

The Downside

In 2022, controversy arose when Reuters reported approximately 1500 animal deaths occurred during animal testing at Neuralink between 2018 and 2022. It involved around 280 sheep, pigs, and monkeys.

In addition to the reports, top neuroscientists and doctors have also conveyed caution.

Dr. Kameshwar Prasad, an emeritus professor of neurology at AIIMS, highlighted the applications and consequences of the technology. He also mentioned potential risks like triggering seizures, bleeding, infection, haemorrhage, and the body rejecting the foreign object being a possibility."There are also chances of miscommunication. The transmission between our brain and body parts is very well coordinated. If the same is not replicated well in the case of the brain-machine interface, it can backfire", he added.

While suggesting caution, Tara Spires-Jones, the president of the British Neuroscience Association, recently stated that “The idea of brain-nervous system interfaces has great potential to help people with neurological disorders in the future,”. However, most of these interfaces require invasive neurosurgery and are still in experimental stages; thus, it will likely be many years before they are commonly available.” 

Similar Efforts Have Been Made Before

In 2011, Gert-Jan Oskam, a 27-year-old Dutchman, lost his ability to walk following a motorcycle accident. However, in May 2023, he regained mobility thanks to electronic brain implants developed by École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne (EPFL), a prominent Swiss university. 

Several companies, including Synchron, have also ventured into this field, with Synchron being the first to receive FDA clearance for testing a device in humans in 2021. Since then, Synchron has been enrolling and implanting patients in a trial.

The Conclusion

The recent developments present a groundbreaking stride towards maverick possibilities, like telepathic communication, solutions for Paralysis and Parkinson’s, and thought-controlled actions. But the path is filled with risks and ethical dilemmas. The reported animal deaths during testing have raised grave safety concerns, with the experts cautioning against potential risks. While technology holds promise, a balanced approach is essential to navigate the fine line between innovation and ethical responsibility. It's important to think about what's right and wrong as we develop new ways to connect brains and computers, especially with all the recent tech advances.